Sunday, March 16, 2014

Right before this years trade deadline. It was reported that Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck set the price tag high for Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge if he wanted to trade Rondo. An unrealistic price tag it seemed from Grousbeck. The Celtics say they value Rondo, including Ainge, but we all know the truth behind some of it. Ainge hasn't said no to the media when they ask about Rondo's name in trade rumors.

It sounds like the ownership group likes Rondo, and that's key heading into his free agency, especially if the Celtics want to resign the All-Star point guard.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, you’ll recall, reported earlier this season that trading for Rondo, realistic or not, is the Knicks’ in-season fantasy. And sources say they have indeed tried to nudge the Celtics into full-fledged Rondo trade talks — since New York is said to be a city that Rondo, in the summer of 2015, would be comfortable choosing in free agency — but are also properly pessimistic about their chances.

New York can offer to take bad contracts off Boston’s hands, which would have to appeal to Celtics front-office chief Danny Ainge, but the Knicks lack the shiny draft picks or top-flight youngsters Ainge is presumed to also covet.
One source close to the situation told ESPN.com this week that Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck — who has long preferred to keep Rondo in Boston even though he’ll be an unrestricted free agent in less than 18 months — is insisting that Ainge set a high trade price for the All-Star point guard.

The thinking goes something like this: If the Celts could score first-round picks in the respective transactions that sent coach Doc Rivers to the Clippers and packaged Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets, you can imagine what sort of haul Ainge’s bosses believe Rondo could bring.

"It means a lot, especially coming from the head guy," said Rondo. "With all the rumors swirling, the criticism that I was having throughout the past couple weeks, he stuck his neck out. He didn't have to say anything, but he did. I've talked to Wyc since then. Everything is what it's supposed to be."

Earlier this week, Grousbeck raved about Rondo while reflecting on the 2013-14 season in an interview with the Boston Globe.

"[Rondo is] loved right here, from my seat on the court," said Grousbeck. "I love the guy. I love his championship ring when he was the young kid. I love his growth. It reminds me of Paul Pierce. Growing from the moments in his younger days and making progress toward being an all-time Celtic and a leader. I am always hopeful that a guy like that is going to stay around."

I do hope Grousbeck sticks with this. Wyc and the ownership group have been amazing for a long time. Rondo has his haters, but the most important fan has been Grousbeck. The guy who signs the checks. He seems to have a lot of confidence in Rondo and that's carried on throughout the year. The ownership group will listen to Ainge, but they get the final call. I hope they make the right choice with Rondo. Rajon said he doesn't believe Wyc is a liar, and I think at this point in time he's not.